title: 17-β-Estradiol counteracts the effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields on trophoblastic connexins and integrins.
abstract: We investigated the effect of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMFs) and 17-β-estradiol on connexins (Cxs), integrins (Ints), and estrogen receptor (ER) expression, as well as on ultrastructure of trophoblast-derived HTR-8/SVneo cells. HF-EMF, 17-β-estradiol, and their combination induced an increase of Cx40 and Cx43 mRNA expression. HF-EMF decreased Int alpha1 and β 1 mRNA levels but enhanced Int alpha5 mRNA expression. All the Ints mRNA expressions were increased by 17-β-estradiol and exposure to both stimuli. ER-β mRNA was reduced by HF-EMF but augmented by 17-β-estradiol alone or with HF-EMF. ER-β immunofluorescence showed a cytoplasmic localization in sham and HF-EMF exposed cells which became nuclear after treatment with hormone or both stimuli. Electron microscopy evidenced a loss of cellular contact in exposed cells which appeared counteracted by 17-β-estradiol. We demonstrate that 17-β-estradiol modulates Cxs and Ints as well as ER-β expression induced by HF-EMF, suggesting an influence of both stimuli on trophoblast differentiation and migration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Section of General Physiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. franco.cervellati@unife.it
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cervellati
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valacchi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lunghi
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valbonesi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marci
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Biondi
authors.forename: Fortunato
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vesce
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D016023:Integrins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D004958:Estradiol